Feature Archives

On Saturday, July 26th, several local organizations held a demonstration outside the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco's Union Square. This show of force was called the Left-Out Party, and featured speakers, music and dancing. It was held to draw attention to the fact that the Human Rights Campaign insisted on leaving gender identity out of any new federal legislation that would protect workers on their jobs.

On July 19th, three activists were arrested for breaking through police barricades around Pelosi's Pacific Heights mansion and "dying in" on her walkway to protest against war with Iran. Many banners and signs focused on House Concurrent Resolution 362 and the $400 million the US is spending on covert operations in Iran.

On July 31st, there will be an eyewitness report-back at the SF Women’s Building from two Iranian American activists just back from Iran.

At a public meeting held July 15th in San Francisco, Bayview residents and supporters accused the San Francisco Department of Public Health of turning a blind eye to Lennar Corp's toxic construction in the Hunter's Point Shipyard. Bayview community members said Lennar Corp, a housing redevelopment corporation based out of Miami, has been digging into asbestos-rich serpentine rock sending plumes of cancer-causing dust into nearby homes, recreation centers and elementary schools. Last November, The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) voted to fine Lennar for not accurately monitoring toxicity levels during construction.

On July 4th, peace and humanitarian organizations celebrated a Canadian federal court decision favoring Iraq war resister Joshua Key that could have substantial implications for other American war objectors. Canada's ruling conservative government may still try to ignore the will of its citizenry.In a nationwide action July 9th, US protesters drew attention to the imminent deportation from Canada of AWOL GIs. Across the country 14 events were held in support of US war resisters attempting to remain in Canada. Activists were pleased with a surprise decision announced just hours after San Francisco's noon hour protest; a Canadian Federal Court granted Corey a last minute reprieve of at least several months while his lawyers are given an opportunity to appeal earlier negative rulings.

On July 12th, global demonstrations against the Church of Scientology were held. In San Francisco, the demonstration took place at 701 Montgomery Street. Anonymous, the group organizing the demonstrations, is charging the Scientology Church for corruption, racism, homophobia, practices that cause death, abuse of their followers, and harassment of their critics.

LaborFest will take place this year from July 5th through July 31st. LaborFest was established in 1994 to institutionalize the history and culture of working people in an annual labor cultural, film and arts festival. July 5th is the anniversary of the 1934 “Bloody Thursday” event. On that day, two maritime workers were killed by the police attack on strikers and their supporters. This touched off a general strike and led to the complete shutdown of the city.

A group of San Francisco residents are gathering signatures for an initiative to be put on the November ballot. The initiative will ask to rename Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant the George W Bush Sewage Plant. The group has managed to collect 8,500 signatures so far; 15,000 are needed for an initiative.